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The effects of Al2O3 on (1−x)[SrO–SiO2–B2O3]–xAl2O3 (SASB, x=0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.1) sealing glasses for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) have been investigated to determine the proper amount of Al2O3 for the application of the SASB glasses to a SOFC sealant. The structural, thermal, mechanical and adhesion properties were determined by using DTA, TMA, XRD, SEM, and Raman spectroscopy. It is found that the thermal expansion coefficients of the glasses and crystallized samples are 8.0–11.0×10−6 °C−1, and ~10.0×10−6 °C−1, respectively, which are within the required values for the SOFC sealant. The change of mode population in Raman scattering analysis shows that Al2O3 acts as a network modifier. When annealed at 800 °C, the glasses with x=0 and 0.1 start to crystallize in 5 h, but the sample with x=0.6 mostly remains as a glass phase even after 50 h, and this crystallization behavior has a close relationship with adhesion properties. Comparing the cross-sectional views of SEM images between x=0 and x=0.06, the sample with x=0.06 shows homogeneous morphologies with good adhesion and clean surface boundaries between the sample and substrate. But for the x=0 case, the boundaries are not clearly defined and devitrifications with heterogeneous morphologies exist.

High-cycle fatigue (HCF) and low-cycle fatigue (LCF) properties of a rolled AZ31-O alloy along different directions were evaluated at room temperature. Two types of samples denoted as RD (rolling direction) and TD (transverse direction) were compared because the samples along the two typical directions show an obvious anisotropy. By evaluating the fatigue parameters following the Manson–Coffin and Basquin’s equations, it is found that the fatigue lives of TD samples are longer than those of RD samples under both stress-controlled and strain-controlled cyclic loadings. Finally, the microscopic and macroscopic fracture features under tensile and fatigue loadings are observed and compared with the available literatures.

The purpose of this study was to investigate lower-limb joint torque of the two groups as it changed by somatosensory stimulation during the descent down three stairs of different heights and to describe the difference between the two groups, which are young people group and elderly people group. Subjects of each groups climbed down a stair at four stimulation conditions, which are non-stimulation, tibialis anterior tendon stimulation, achilles tendon stimulation, tibialis anterior - achilles tendon stimulation. Motion capture data were collected using 3D optoelectric motion tracking system that utilizes active infrared LEDs, near infrared sensor and force plate. The obtained motion capture data was used to build 3D computer simulation model. The results show that lower-limb joint torque of the two groups changed with somatosensory stimulation as they descended the stairs and the joint torque of the two groups differed from each other.

This study proposes a human body orientation tracking system by inertial and earth magnetic sensors. These sensors were fused by indirect Kalman filter. The proposed tracking system was configured and the filter was implemented. The tracking performance was evaluated with static and dynamic tests. In static test, the sensor was fixed on the floor while its static characteristics was analyzed. In dynamic test, the sensor was held and moved manually for 30 seconds. The dynamic test included x, y, z axis rotations, and elbow flection/extension motions that mimic drinking. For these dynamic motions, the tracking angle error was under on average. The proposed tracking method is expected to be useful for various human body motion analysis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the center of pressure (COP), ground reaction force (GRF) and joint angles of elderly people and young people while stair-descent. The participants in this experiment were 5 elderly people and 5 young people, each of which was asked to descend stairs of three different heights (8 cm, 16 cm, and 32 cm). As they climbed down the stairs, they received vibration stimulation on the lower limb. The change of COP, GRF and joint angles were analyzed during the standing phase. COP decreased as the Achilles tendon and tibialis anterior tendon were vibrated. Vertical GRF increased as the Achilles tendon was vibrated, and the joint angle differed according to vibration stimulation conditions. These results mean that ankle joint, knee joint and hip joint were influenced by the vibrations on the lower limb as the participants descended the stairs. It was concluded that the vibration stimulation on the lower limb allowed the participants to efficiently climb down the stairs.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) facilitate the engraftment of human (h) hematopoietic stem cells when transplanted simultaneously in animal and human studies. However, the type of MSCs that preferentially enhance the engraftment of HSCs is unknown. Recent studies have shown that MSCs derived from a single source are heterogeneous in terms of cell size, morphology, proliferation rate, and differentiation potential. This study was designed to investigate the properties of UCB-MSCs, which influence the engraftment of hHSCs in a NOD/SCID mouse model. We categorized MSCs as being the most effective (UCB-352 MSCs) or the least effective (UCB-156 MSCs) at promoting the homing and engraftment of HSCs, and compared the characteristics of these 2 MSC populations. We observed that the 2 populations showed differences in characteristics typical of immature MSCs, and related to proliferation potential. We showed that UCB-352 MSCs, which proliferate quickly, preferentially enhanced the engraftment of HSCs in NOD/SCID mice. In addition, we observed differences in the pattern of both PODXL and Oct4 expression, and in the levels of cytokines such as SDF-1 and SCF using flow cytometry and membrane arrays. The more effective UCB-352 MSCs expressed higher levels of PODXL and Oct4, which were associated with immaturity, than did the UCB-156 MSCs. Furthermore, UCB-352 cells secreted greater levels of SDF-1 and SCF, both of which are required for hematopoiesis. We propose that the proliferation potential of UCB-MSCs, coupled with their immature characteristics, may serve as a novel standard to promote the homing and engraftment of HSCs.

Cadmium (Cd) is a non essential element, and is a widespread environmental pollutant. Exposure to Cd can result in a variety of adverse health effects in plant and humans. In the current study, Arabidopsis seedlings were used as a bio-indicator of Cd pollution. Seedlings were grown on MS media containing 0-6.0 mg L(-1) Cd for 18 days, and the gene expression patterns were used to link increased Cd exposure with progressive biological effects. Reduction of total soluble protein content in shoots of the Arabidopsis seedlings occurred with increase in Cd concentrations. For the gene expression patterns, seven genes known to be involved in cell division and DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system were investigated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and normalized using 18S rRNA gene expression. Expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen 2 (atPCNA 2), MutS 3 homolog (atMSH 3) and MutL1 homolog (atMLH1) genes in shoots of Arabidopsis was strongly induced by exposure to 0.75 mg L(-1) Cd, but were repressed by other Cd concentrations whereas exposure to 0.75-6 mg L(-1) of Cd resulted in a decreased expression of atPCNA1, atMSH 2, 6 and 7 genes independently of any observable biological effects, including survival, fresh weight and chlorophyll level of shoots. This work demonstrated that specific gene expression changes could serve as useful molecular biomarkers indicative of Cd exposure and related biological effects.

The governing parameters affecting the fatigue properties have been investigated experimentally in the high carbon steel wires with 0.94 wt.%C. In order to find the crucial factors, the advanced analysis techniques such as optical 3-D profiler, focused ion beam(FIB) and transmission electron microscope(TEM) were used. The two-type steel wires with different drawing strain were fabricated. The fatigue properties were measured by hunter rotating beam tester, specially designed for thin-sized steel wires. It was found that the fatigue properties of the steel wires with high drawing strain was higher than that with other wires because of low residual stress and high adhesion condition of brass coating layer.

The residual stress in axial direction of the steel wires has been measured by using a method based on the combination of the focused ion beam(FIB) milling and digital image correlation(DIC) program. The residual stress is calculated from the measured displacement field before and after the introduction of a slot along the steel wires. The displacement is obtained by the digital correlation analysis of high-resolution scanning electron micrographs, while the slot is introduced by FIB milling with low energy beam. The experimental procedures are described and the feasibilities are demonstrated in steel wires fabricated with different conditions. It reveals that the tensile residual stress is formed in all steel wires and this is strongly influenced by the fabrication conditions.

Seven-son flower ( Heptacodium miconioide ) is a prized, useful and well-accepted landscape plant in North America and some European countries but only grows in East China. Unfortunately, the distribution region, population size and individual numbers of seven-son flower rapidly decrease in the wild. It is a particular rare, highly severe endangered and protective plant. Here we investigated the physiological responses of seven-son flower at eight different sites under fragmental habitats in the Beishan mountains (Zhejiang, China), one of two only areas where the communities of seven-son flower currently are discovered. This was to determine the effect of light stress under fragmental habitat on the physiology and to explore the endangering mechanism of seven-son flower. The study shows that strong light brought by habitat fragmentation obviously inhibited the photosynthesis rates reduced antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)) activities and promoted electrical conductivity and MDA content of seven-son flower leaves. The characteristics of leaves were also affected by light intensity in fragmental habitat. Intense light in fragmental habitat is disadvantageous to photosynthesis and antioxidant enzymes of the flower. Our results suggest that biodiversity conservation of seven-son flower is timely needed and the light intensity should be considered carefully when biodiversity conservation of seven-son flower to be carried out, especially in the transplant conservation of seven-son flower from deteriorative area in the wild.

The electrochemical behavior of the Fe(III)/Fe(II)–triethanolamine(TEA) complex redox couple in alkaline medium and influence of the concentration of TEA were investigated. A change of the concentration of TEA mainly produces the following two results. (1) With an increase of the concentration of TEA, the solubility of the Fe(III)–TEA can be increased to 0.6 M, and the solubility of the Fe(II)–TEA is up to 0.4 M. (2) In high concentration of TEA with the ratio of TEA to NaOH ranging from 1 to 6, side reaction peaks on the cathodic main reaction of the Fe(III)–TEA complex at low scan rate can be minimized. The electrode process of Fe(III)–TEA/Fe(II)–TEA is electrochemically reversible with higher reaction rate constant than the uncomplexed species. Constant current charge–discharge shows that applying anodic active materials of relatively high concentrations facilitates the improvement of cell performance. The open-circuit voltage of the Fe–TEA/Br2 cell with the Fe(III)–TEA of 0.4 M, after full charging, is nearly 2.0 V and is about 32% higher than that of the all-vanadium batteries, together with the energy efficiency of approximately 70%. The preliminary exploration shows that the Fe(III)–TEA/Fe(II)–TEA couple is electrochemically promising as negative redox couple for redox flow battery (RFB) application. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Highly (0 0 2)-oriented Zn0.8Cd0.2O crystal films were prepared on different substrates, namely, glass, Si(1 1 1) and α-Al2O3(0 0 1) wafers by the dc reactive magnetron sputtering technique. The Zn0.8Cd0.2O/α-Al2O3 film has the best crystal quality with a FWHM of (0 0 2) peak of 0.3700°, an average grain size of about 200 nm and a root-mean-square surface roughness of about 70 nm; yet the Zn0.8Cd0.2O/glass holds the worst crystal quality with a much larger FWHM of 0.6281°. SIMS depth profile shows that the Zn and O compositions change little along the film depth direction; the Cd incorporation also almost holds the line towards the top surface other than an accumulation at the interface between the film and the substrate. The Cd content in the film is nearly consistent with that in target.

In this study, the die design and die series on the surface residual stress of cold drawn eutectoid steel wire have been investigated. Test pieces were fabricated using die series with different mean and final reduction ratios. Surface residual stresses in the axial direction were measured by X-ray diffraction, Bruker`s 2-dimensional GADDS system. The results were compared with stress profiles that were calculated by 3D and 2D finite element simulations, ABAQUS 6.4 program in finite element analysis(FEA). By means of the FEA method, optimal die shape considering delta-parameter were induced and applied in order to determine die sequence designs. Balance of the drawing stresses was also introduced to optimize die sequence.

The low-energy excitations in glasses were studied by the terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). The coherent THz radiation by a femto-second pulse laser enables the determination of the real and the imaginary parts of complex dielectric constants in the frequency range between 0.3 and 2.4 THz. The complex dielectric spectra of glasses clearly show the existence of broad low-energy excitations called boson peaks.

Some group of crystals possess the unusual characteristics of being permanently polarized within a given temperature range. Unlike the general piezoelectric classes, which produce a polarization under stress, the pyroelectrics develop this polarization spontaneously and form permanent dipoles in the structure. This polarization also changes with temperatureshence the term pyroelectricity comes. Pyroelectric crystals such as tourmaline and wurtzite are often called polar materials, referring to the unique polar axis existing within the lattice. The length of the polar axis (dipole moment) varies with temperature, changing sign as the temperature is either elevated or lowered. A subgroup of the spontaneously polarized pyroelectrics is a special category of materials known as ferroelectrics. Materials in this group are characterized as crystals that possess a spontaneous dipole, and this dipole is reversible by an electric field of some magnitude less than the electric breakdown of the material itself. Because of the empirical nature of determining the reversibility of the dipoles, as detected in a hysteresis loop measurement, one cannot predict the existence of ferroelectricity in a new material with much accuracy. We do see, however, that the basis for the existence of ferroelectricity rests primarily on structural (symmetrical) considerations. Generally, the dielectric constants of ferroelectric materials are hundreds times bigger than those of normal dielectric compounds. It is necessary to possess stronger dielectric properties when a material is applied for the phase shifters, tunable filters, capacitors, non-volatile ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) devices, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices and steerable antennas. Many scientists, therefore, have tried to increase the dielectric property of ferroelectric materials by substituting the preexisting metals with various transition metals, and/or by changing the synthetic processes. Several compounds, for example, lead zirconate titanates [Pb(Ti1-xZrx)O3, PZT] and lead lanthanum zirconate titanates [(Pb1-yLay)(Ti1-xZrx)O3, PLZT] have been successfully developed through the substitutional method. Both compounds exhibit better dielectric property than the intrinsic PbTiO3 does. In addition, a flood of research have been focused on the syntheses of new materials which are exhibiting high dielectric constants. Aurivillius phase compounds such as SrBi2Ta2O9(SBT) and SrBi2Nb2O9(SBN) are the typical examples. Differently from the substituted solution form mentioned above, the modulated structure form (see Figure 1) with two kinds of classical ferroelectric compounds in film type can be introduced. Modulated structure framework is an artificial crystal which is designed to deposit the alternating layers with more than two different materials. A ferroelectric perovskite is deposited onto a substrate first time and then the second compound is deposited onto the surface of the first one, and again the first one onto the surface of the second one, and so on. The modulated structure film is known to exhibit better physical properties compared to the individual materials. For example, ferroelectric modulated structure which is made of BaTiO3 and SrTiO3 shows higher voltage tunability and dielectric properties than BaTiO3 only or SrTiO3 only. Dielectric property of a material depends on the amount of structural distortions in the compounds. Withers and coworkers have suggested that the major cause of spontaneous polarization in the two-layer of ABO3 materials is the displacement of the A site cation in the perovskite block along the a-direction in the polar space group A21am. In addition, the distorted O-B-O chains which construct perovskite layers, are thought to be the origin of the polarization in the ABO3 perovskites. So the higher polarization is expected when the structural distortion is stronger. In the deposition of yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) films onto MgO substrates, it has been observed that the

Environment and human health are closely connected. Ecological, hydrogeological and geochemical factors affect the physical environment in which people live. The niche theory and Schroeder principle that reveal relationship between ecological effects and element contents have important implication on hydrogeochemical study in the respect of human health. The zones of hydrogeochemistry were studied in the term of ecological, physiological and epidemical effects on organisms based on the ecological rationales and element contents. In the hydrogeochemical zone lack of some elements due to the leaching and transferring, the biological and physiological effect is negatively correlated to the elements contents; whilst in the zone of element enrichment resulting from leaching and concentration, they are positively correlated to the element contents. The appropriate concentration for the organisms is ranged between these two zones. The relationships between environmental elements (e.g. Se, I and F) and endemic diseases, KBD, IDD and dental fluorosis/caries, were analysed in the Li-Liu area, Shanxi province, northern China. In this hydrogeochemical system, the prevalence and severity of these endemic diseases were caused by deficient or excessive contents of Se, I and F in water and soil. Detailed correlation models were established based on epidemical and medical surveys and hydreogeochemical sampling and analyses.

Environmental contamination caused by extra heavy oil-based drill cuttings (DCs) is a major problem in the Liaohe Oilfield, northeastern China. To study the potential effectiveness of the mature reed wetland in removing extra heavy oil contained in drill cuttings, biodegradation of extra heavy oils and study of the effects on soil property and ecophysiological and quality indices of reeds were carried out in a 2-year in situ pilot experiment. In the wetland, four reed beds were used to treat drill cuttings in various loadings: 0 (control), 5, 20, and 40 kg/m2, corresponding to 150, 600, and 1200 g/m2 extra heavy oil hydrocarbons (HCs). The obtained results demonstrate that the mature reed wetland was effective at degrading extra heavy oils without extra fertilization. Removal efficiencies of reed bed 2 in the 0- to 80-cm soil profile increased with time, from 90.1% (first harvest season) to 95.8% (second harvest season). After 2 years, only 4.2% of the initial hydrocarbons residual was retained in the surface soil. There was no apparent adverse effects on the surface soil property during degradation of extra heavy oils and, actually, the deeper soil property and reed quality indices were improved at the end of the experiment. Phytotoxicity, resulting in reduction of reed yield, was observed in the most heavily treated beds in the first year. However, long-term reed yield recovered robustly. During the 2-year period, reed height and leaf number were slightly inhibited. Keywords: Phytodegradation, Mature reed wetland, Drill cutting, Extra heavy oil, Phytotoxicity

Characterization of heterogeneous hydrogeological systems plays an important role in groundwater protection and remediation of contaminated sites. However, sparse field observations and/or lack of relevant in situ test results hinder regional characterization process. In such cases, advanced modelling techniques can improve characterization of such complex hydrogeological systems. A sequential approach using groundwater flow modelling with nonlinear inverse calibration, advective transport and geochemical modelling and isotope study to characterize heterogeneous systems has been developed in this case study. It was used to better understand the regional hydrogeology and groundwater system of the Triassic Sherwood Sandstone aquifer underlying the Belfast area, Northern Ireland. Based on the inversely calibrated flow model and advective transport modelling by particle tracking, geochemical interpretation of groundwater quality data and isotopic and geochemical inverse modelling at well-distributed spatial l...

Hard and brittle materials such as ferrite, optical glass and ceramics have been used in many fields and still gain increasing attention. They are difficult to machine and it is hard to obtain good surface quality. Some workpieces of large batch production have large machining allowances and the machining efficiency is low with the usual grinding method. Thus it is of great importance to research the high efficiency grinding technology of hard and brittle materials. In this paper a cast iron bond diamond wheel and ELID (electrolytic in-process dressing) grinding technology are used on a surface grinder to research the high efficiency grinding technique. ELID grinding has been used previously in precision grinding with a fine abrasive wheel. In this study, the feasibility of ELID grinding for high efficiency deep-cut grinding has been researched. Garnet ferrite (YAG) has been machined both by the new method and by using a resin bond diamond wheel. The grinding force of the cast iron bond diamond wheel with ELID technology is apparently smaller than that of the other method. Under the same conditions, it is about 2/5–3/5 of the force using the resin bond diamond wheel. The result indicates that the grinding efficiency of garnet ferrite can be highly improved and good surface quality ensured by applying ELID grinding technology and adopting a large grinding depth.

In this study, the effects of annealing in a nitrogen atmosphere on the crystal structure and resistivity of tantalum nitride films was investigated. The films were deposited on silicon substrates by a DC magnetron sputtering technique, which is implemented with an optical emission spectrometer (OES) in the sputtering system to control the ratio of tantalum to nitrogen particles in the plasma on line. The results reveal that annealing in nitrogen atmosphere improves the crystal structure and raises the electrical resistivity. The thermal annealing resulted in grain growth especially when OES readings were set at 100 and 70%. This may be caused by the fact that nanograins provide the driving force to induce the grain growth process. Grain growth phenomenon is not as obvious when the OES value is decreased because other phases such as Ta2N and Ta5N6 are formed and inhibit grain boundary movement. Annealed samples have higher electrical resistivity compared to the as deposited ones. It may be caused by the escape of excessive nitrogen atoms, which act as donors to the electronic conductance, during annealing. Decreasing the OES value from 100 to 45%, the crystal phase of as deposited tantalum nitride film changes from β-Ta, to Ta2N, then to TaN and finally to Ta5N6.

This paper describes a natural-gradient field tracer test to characterise solute-transport properties in a sand and gravel aquifer in the Hebei Province, northern China. Some laboratory-scale column tests on aquifer material and a local-scale field borehole-dilution test have been conducted previously, but the field test reported herein represents the only large-scale tracer test in the aquifer, which is the sole water supply to the city of Shi Jiazhuang and which is threatened by urban pollution. The aim of the study was to quantify the transport behaviour of nonreactive pollutants in this aquifer. Little quantitative data are available concerning its solute-transport properties; thus, the results of the tracer test are significant and critical for understanding pollutant transport and fate. The in-situ tracer test was carried out in the aquifer using a slug injection of the geochemically conservative, radioactive iodine tracer I-131. Th, longitudinal (alpha (L)) and transverse (alpha (T)) hydrodynamic dispersivities for solute transport in the field are 1.72 and 0.0013 m, respectively. The ratio of longitudinal dispersivity alpha (L) and the flow length at the field scale is 1:10. The ratio between alpha (L) and alpha (T) from the in-situ test (similar to1,300:1) demonstrates a dominant longitudinal dispersion in this fluvial sand and gravel aquifer. The tracer test further indicates a relatively short transit time for the aquifer (linear velocities similar to 13 m/d) under natural-gradient conditions.

Groundwater is an important water resource and its management is vital for integrated water resources development in semiarid catchments. The River Shiyang catchment in the semiarid area of northwestern China was studied to determine a sustainable multi-objective management plan of water resources. A multi-objective optimization model was developed which incorporated water supplies, groundwater quality, ecology, environment and economics on spatial and temporal scales under various detailed constraints. A calibrated groundwater flow model was supplemented by grey simulation of groundwater quality, thus providing two lines of evidence to use in the multi-objective water management. The response matrix method was used to link the groundwater simulation models and the optimization model. Multi-phase linear programming was used to minimize and compromise the objectives for the multi-period, conjunctive water use optimization model. Based on current water demands, this water use optimization managemen...

The problems of distortion and residual stresses in and around a welded joint are of major concern in heavy industry. In the present work, a formula for weld induced angular distortion, in terms of weld parameters such as heat input and plate thickness, is developed analytically using an infinite laminated plate theory to consider an elliptical cylindrical inclusion with an eigenstrain. The source of angular distortion in weldments is the plastic strains that are caused by non-uniform temperature gradient. The distributions of the plastic strain corresponding to the eigenstrain are determined using Rosenthal's solution, which describes temperature distributions. Comparison of the calculated results with the experimental data shows the accuracy and validity of the proposed method.

The photoluminescent (PL) spectra of Zn1-xCdxO (0≤x≤0.53) alloy films were obtained successfully. A new explanation from the viewpoint of band structure is brought forward to comprehend the PL nature of the alloy films. According to this explanation, the near-band-energy emissions of the Zn1-xCdxO (x>0) films are caused by the radiative transitions between the Zn4s–Cd5s hybrid level and the O2p level, and the broadenings of the two levels are responsible for the gradually increased line width of the PL peak of the film; Zn3d and Cd4d orbital levels have great effects on the band-gap variations of the alloys. In addition, a quadratic equation is put forward to depict the relationship between the band gaps Eg of the alloys and their Cd contents x, i.e. Eg(x)=3.30-1.22x+1.26x2 (0≤x≤0.53).

Polyester prepolymers were used as model compounds of the corresponding networks in a study of relationships between structure and hydrolytic stability. A comparison of various types of prepolymers allowed us to establish that the hydrolytic stabilities are in the order: propylene glycol (PG)

DTPA-pAS, EDTA-pAS, DTPA-pAB and EDTA-pAB are synthesized and confirmed by elemental analysis, IR spectra, 1 H NMR and mass spectra. Fluorescent properties are investigated by mixing the four chelants with Eu III or Tb III chloride in aqueous solution. The fluorescence intensity varies with the chelants, pH value and concentration. Only DTPA-pAS and EDTA-pAS enhance the Tb III luminescence efficiently and the fluorescence intensity varied slightly at pH 6.0–12.0. The fluorescence of Tb III -DTPA-pAS can be detected even at a concentration of 10 −7 mol l −1 . Tb III -DTPA-pAS has been used as a label in fluoroimmunoassay for the determination of human serum albumin (HSA).

Two newly isolated actinomycetes were identified as streptomyces strain F-6 and F-7. Both of them are possessed of laccase activity. Manganese peroxidase activity of strain F-6 is in very high level(1254.5ul-1).Removal of lignin by F-6, F-7 are more than 50% in 12 days. GC-MS analysis showed strain F-6 could convert lignin into phenol and broken phenol compounds. They may co-culturing with white rot fungus and decompose lignin. Keywords- streptomyces; alkali lignin; biodegradation

Assessment of environmental contamination on ecology (plant) at molecular and population levels is important in risk quantification and remediation study. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay and related other fingerprinting techniques have been employed to detect the genotoxin-induced DNA damage and mutations. This research compared the effects occurring at molecular and population levels in rice seedlings exposed to cadmium (Cd) concentrations of 15-60 mg l(-1) for 8 days with quartz sand culture. Inhibition of root growth and increase of total soluble protein content in root tips of rice seedlings were observed with the increase of Cd concentration. For the RAPD analyses, 12 RAPD primers of 50-70% GC content were found to produce unique polymorphic band patterns and subsequently were used to produce a total of 180 bands of 179-3056 bp in molecular size in the control root tips of rice seedlings. Results produced by these RAPD primers indicate that changes in RAPD profiles of root tips after Cd treatment include modifications in band intensity and gain or loss of bands by comparison with control. The effect of changes was dose-dependent. Genomic template stability compares favourably with the traditional indices such as root growth and soluble protein content. The DNA polymorphisms detected by RAPD analysis can be applied as a suitable biomarker assay for the detection of genotoxic effects of Cd contamination on plants.

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments have been carried out on Ce(Fe 1− x Al x ) 2 with x = 0, 0.06 and 0.14 to study the ferromagnetic instability in the pure compound, to small amounts of magnetic impurities. The temperature range was 300–710 K and the scattering configuration was in the low resolution with scattering wave vectors larger than 0.02 A −1 . The increase in measured susceptibility near 600 K indicates high-temperature transitions for x = 0 and 0.06. For x = 0.14, an anomalous increase of the integrated SANS intensity appears at 350 K and the measured scattering pattern shows non-diverging susceptibility with short-range magnetic interaction at this transition temperature.

A theory of thermoelectric power that are affected by a newly modeled phonon drag phenomena in ZnO, CdS, CdSe and ZnS single crystals is proposed. The comparison between the theory and experiments and the analysis of various possible mechanisms of phonon relaxation enabled to conclude that: 1) the phonon drag connects with the piezoelectric interaction between electrons and acoustic phonons; 2) the mechanism of phonon relaxation is the phonon-phonon scattering. Calculations of an anisotropy of the thermoelectric power for a number of compounds have been performed; the anisotropy of a piezoelectric potential and the anisotropy of a phonon spectrum were taken into account. The examined materials can be used in the traditional as well as in the anisotropic thermoelements.

The gravity IV administration set is widely used with its inherent advantages. However, one big problem in using the traditional IV infusion set is the difficulty in confirming the infusion rate and total infused volume. By counting the number of drips in the administration chamber, it is possible to monitor the infusion rate with high accuracy. We developed a miniaturized drip rate meter which is mountable on the drip chamber of a commercial IV infusion set to provide accurate infusion rate as well as total infused volume. The developed system comprises optical sensor, amplifier circuit, detection algorithm in microcontroller, LCD display and select switch. The features of the developed system include switched LED operation, differential mode optical detectors and fuzzy rule based detection algorithm. Results of the evaluation tests verified the performance of the developed system.